Geoff Ogilvy will take a commanding five-shot lead into the final day of the Australian Open presented by Century 21 after firing a superb five-under 67 in benign conditions at The Lakes on Saturday. Having started the day with a one-shot lead over playing partner Matt Jones, Ogilvy burst out of the blocks with three front-nine birdies to build a three-shot cushion by the turn. The in-form Victorian rammed home his advantage on the inward half, posting birdies at the 11th, 12th and 14th holes before dropping his first shot in 36 holes at the par-three 18th to drop back to 16 under for the championship. Ogilvy, who rushed straight to the range after signing his card, was understandably pleased with his day&aposs work but admits his wayward five-iron at the closing hole left a sour taste. “I&aposm happy obviously with the way I played,” Ogilvy said. “It&aposs never nice to finish like that it doesn&apost matter what you&aposre shooting. I would have been aggravated any day of the week doing that at the last.” “But I&aposm well over it now. I played very well again, just like yesterday. I hit a lot of good shots, had a lot of chances, made some nice putts.” “I had plenty of opportunities that I didn&apost make but I feel like I putted really well and made the most of the day” Jones, who fired a course-record 64 on Friday, leads the chasing pack at minus 11 after settling for a frustrating 71 in ideal scoring conditions. Western Australian Greg Chalmers fired the low round of the day – a sizzling 66 – to join Alistair Presnell (67) in a share of third at 10-under par. After making the turn in one-under 34, Chalmers made five straight birdies from the 10th hole to give himself a fighting chance on Sunday. First-round leader Matthew Griffin (72) and John Senden (70) will have to come from seven shots back after finishing the day at nine under. American David Oh (67) and Bronson La&aposCassie (68) are a further stroke back at minus eight, one clear of a trio of players including Lakes member Peter O&aposMalley (70) and Paul Sheehan (72). Earlier in the day, five-time Stonehaven Cup winner Greg Norman kept the large galleries that followed his every move entertained, posting a two-under 70 to sit at minus three in a share of 33rd spot. After making the turn in 33, a double bogey at the par-four 12th stalled the Shark&aposs charge. Defending champion Adam Scott was unable to match his spectacular second-round 66, struggling to a one-over 73 that featured disastrous double bogeys at the par-five 11th and par-four 13th. It was also a difficult day for JB Were Masters Champion Stuart Appleby who made eagle at the par-five 14th to salvage a 71 and get back to even par for the championship. Tasmanian Ryan McCarthy (69) and Englishman Tom Lewis (70) are the leading amateurs at four-under par.
Author: Steve Orme at The Lakes Golf Club, Sportal